Aviemore Trade Show - April 2009

I will be attending the Aviemore Trade Show in April as an exhibitor. The show takes place at The Highland Resort (MacDonald Hotel) on Sunday 26th April, Monday 27th and Tuesday 28th. Aviemore Trade Show is a three day trade only event for buyers to meet Scottish makers in the art, craft and gift sectors. The show has proved that it is ideally timed to place orders for the summer season. All exhibitors live and work in Scotland - http://www.scotlandstradefairs.co.uk/

I'm looking forward to it, but aprehensive at the same time as it's the first trade show I will have done. I'm now in the process of designing new items and thinking about layout of my stand. I'm thinking of it so much, that it is also causing sleepless nights.

I also decided to do some homework beforehand, so I will be attending Scotland's Trade Fair at the SECC, Glasgow. This takes place on Sunday 25th January - Tuesday 27th January (inclusive). I will be able to look around the stands and see what other exhibitors make and how they dress their stands.

Kathryn, Lazy Daisy

Sale Items added to Website

I have listed some dichroic glass jewellery to my website as sale items. Grab yourself a bargain now. I have listed dichroic glass pendants and earrings. Each item is an exclusive one-off design. I have also added sterling silver chains and plated chains for those who would like to buy chains. Click and paste the link below into your browser, alternatively, click on my website link top right hand corner of this blog. This will take you to my sale items:
http://www.lazydaisyglass.co.uk/page_1231535542309.html

Kathryn, Lazy Daisy

'Tax doesn't have to be TAXING' - yeah right!

That's what they tell us, week after week - it could only be the Inland Revenue.

I never seem to have time to do our tax returns (mine and OH) until January because of my working and mummy commitments, so after the new year the panic starts. I'm usually such a laid back character and takes things in ones own stride, but alas, when the Inland Revenue starts a calling, I just seem to turn into a quivering wreck. After sorting all the receipts and writing down figures, I started on the online form. After two hours of constant 'X ERROR' messages, blood boiling and many sleepless nights, I decided I had to call the Inland Revenue. The first call told me I had to speak to the technical IT helpline, they then told me it was a tax issue (which I suspected - user error ie., me) - the technical tax officer finally informed me that the error messages I kept getting was down to a technical problem their end. WHAT. After pulling my hair out for two hours the previous night, they casually state this problem. Believe me, tax is taxing! Anyway, I happily got past a couple of screens, only to be met with technical questions on loss adjustments - blah, blah, blah. I have to say that last year's paper form was a lot easier. Another phone call followed with a helpful, friendly and funny (yes, I did say funny) chap helping me and voila - all done (well mine anyway).

All I can say is, I slept like a baby last night!! (with the help of good ol spicey rum - purely medicial purposes).

I told my hubby last night that I felt like a huge weight had been lifted from my shoulders. He even helped with sorting his receipts out last night - I think he felt sorry for me, I don't usually get any help!

Life feels a lot better today and will be completing his return today - his is less complicated than mine.

Can't wait to start 'proper' work again and get the kiln going with some new creations. I have lots of ideas in my head and have been sketching new designs down so I don't forget them. As they say - watch this space.
Kathryn, Lazy Daisy

Happy New Year

I hope all of you had a great Christmas and that Santa gave you what you deserved.

I will shortly be signing off for the evening, so thought I would wish everyone a Happy New Year:

May the champagne flow freely this evening (and tomorrow if you wish) and may you all have a happy, healthy and prosperous 2009.

We will be having a quiet family day tomorrow, eating and drinking and playing silly games with our gorgeous daughter. It's great having kids, it's a time when we adults can be silly and it doesn't really matter who's watching!! Mind you, I've been acting like a kid for years.

Happy New Year - may it be a good one for you!
Kathryn, Lazy Daisy xx

New Stockist - Ewe and Me

I'm pleased to announce that a selection of my stock is now available at Ewe and Me in Aberlour. Ewe and Me is a beautiful gift shop and they sell a varied selection of goodies from pretty crockery to baby gifts, infact they cater for all sorts of occasions. I dropped off some of my stock on Tuesday afternoon and two items had sold within an hour of me leaving the shop. That's good news for me.

I also took a trip to Caledonian Craft Connections in Nairn yesterday to drop off another selection of my jewellery. The Labyrinth pendants have sold extremely well - they had sold out. Unfortunately I didn't have any fused glass fish panels to give them, these have also sold out and have been really popular.

I'm slowing down now coming up for Christmas - thankfully. All my Christmas Fairs have finished and have to say, although I enjoy attending them and selling my jewellery, it can be very tiring. I've been exhausted and then came down with the dreaded sickness bug. I have been so busy making stock and visiting my retail outlets that I haven't had time to do much of my Christmas shopping.

Kathryn, Lazy Daisy

Happy 60th Mum

It's my mum's 60th birthday tomorrow, but she's having a surprise party tonight at my sister's house. Unfortunately, living so far away, we couldn't be there, but I'm sure it will be great fun. I put her picture in the paper (the one above) - when she was a wee girl.

As a special present to my mum, I made this pendant from fine silver and imprinted my daughter's fingerprints into one of the hearts. I connected the two hearts together, the smaller one in front and attached to a necklace. Now my mum will always remember her grandaughter wherever she goes - she's wearing her fingerprints on her jewellery.

This is a new line of jewellery I will be doing - keepsake fingerprint jewellery. They make great special presents for mums, dads, grand parents.

I'm back at Delgatie Castle tomorrow for their last Christmas Fair. I hope it will be nice and busy.
Kathryn, Lazy Daisy

It's snowing again - White Christmas

We couldn't resist playing in the snow today - my daughter had a great time, even though it was freezing.

Even duckie thought it was cold!!

Had a good night tonight - I attended Clarks Pharmacy in Keith for their late night Christmas shopping, it was their 10% discount night. They now stock Lazy Daisy Glass and sold some of my pieces this evening. I'm thrilled that they are now stocking my jewellery.
Kathryn, Lazy Daisy

Christmas Fair - Delgatie Castle

I attended the first weekend at Delgatie Castle and it was certainly like Christmas. I decided to stay on site just in case it was bad weather - Turriff can be pretty bad to get to if it snows. As accommodation was cheap, I asked if the OH and daughter could also stay. We had a great weekend, staying on an estate. Woke up to this scenery on Saturday - it was absolutely freezing (-7 degrees).

There was thick frost under foot and it simply didn't budge all weekend. I thought the attendance at the castle was low, but I know the people next to me did very well, so people were spending. I couldn't make the second weekend due to another booking on 6th December at Bishopmill Hall in Elgin. The stallholders next to me at Delgatie Castle offered to look after my stall if I could leave it there. What a great offer. So I decided to leave half of my stock at the castle and return on Sunday 7th and attend the Elgin venue on Saturday. What great people stallholders are - very helpful and friendly.
Kathryn, Lazy Daisy

Woke up to this - It's snowing

Woke up Saturday morning to a crisp white scene. It was fantastic as I love snow, but only for playing in. Unfortunately I had to drive to Elgin Library to their Christmas craft fair. I was dreading it. I panic and get very tense when driving in snow. I set off to Keith to join the main A96. We live in a rural hamlet which is five miles from anywhere, so the road to Keith can be a bit tricky. And sure enough, it was. I couldn't go any faster than 30 miles an hour, even dropping to 20 in places. I made it to the fair in one piece and had a good day. However, the journey was another tricky one. Had to have a few rums to calm the nerves (medicinal purposes). Sunday was still snowy and we had more snow over night. I took some photos to show you the scenery from our house - it is quite spectacular. Attended another fair today, but wasn't as successful. I don't think anyone wanted to venture out in the cold snowy weather. The roads were not half as bad today, so a huge relief.

New Retail Outlet - Caledonian Craft Connections

My stock is now available at the Caledonian Craft Connections in Nairn, The Highlands. I met with Pat and Marie on Wednesday and discussed my items and they were happy with my creations so are now available in their shop. They have already sold a couple of items - fantastic news. I have also received some positive feedback from them. It's a great shop with a good variety of craft work, including feltwork, wood, jewellery, paintings, stained glass and they now stock wool also. They have a separate area with all their wools and can say they have a good selection. If you are ever in Nairn, do stop by the shop to have a peek.

Kathryn, Lazy Daisy xx

Butterfly Giveaway - Winner

I'm pleased to announce that the winner of my giveaway is Cathy of The Recycled Bag Lady - http://owlfamilyblog.blogspot.com/. Well done Cathy, I hope you enjoy your pretty butterfly.

I would like to thank all those who participated and left wonderful messages.

Kathryn, Lazy Daisy xx

1000th Blog Visit - Giveaway

I have today had 1000th blog visits and thought it would be great to celebrate, so decided to give this little beauty away. All you have to do is leave a comment in this post and say why you like this butterfly and why you think you deserve it. I will draw a name from the hat on Thursday 20th November. So get your thinking caps on and leave a comment. Good luck.

Lazy Daisy xx

Tweed Purse and Matching Corsage

I've just listed these items on Folksy. They make great presents, in fact they are two presents in one - a tweed purse/clutch bag and a matching corsage attached to a gift card. You could even split the gift to make two presents - at a very reasonable price and are handmade. Handmade items are making a real comeback at the moment - it's the new black don't you know!

http://www.folksy.com/shops/lazydaisyglass

I popped into Elgin library today to check how my stock was doing in the glass cabinet, only to be left speechless as most of my stock had gone - in just over 3 weeks. The library staff were saying how well it is selling and people buying 2-3 items each time for Christmas presents. I'm now busy making more stock to put in the cabinet.

Kathryn, Lazy Daisy xx

Handmade Felted Bags and Accessories

I attended a soup and sweet and craft fair today at Newmill, Keith. Met up with some fellow friends and craftmakers and had a good natter. It's quite a small crafting community in this area so you get to know everyone fairly quickly. I particularly like the scottie dog handbag, pink daisy bag and the iPod covers - all knitted/felted. I recently bought a glasses case (blogged earlier about that product) and these make great stocking fillers.

They are made by Rhoda MacKenzie and Astrid Bowie - they are quite new to the craft circuit, but their work is very good and also very popular. Now what girl doesn't like handbags??
Lazy Daisy xx

My Stock on Folksy and Etsy

I have two new shops - one on Etsy.com and one on Folksy.com, links below:

http://www.folksy.com/shops/lazydaisyglass

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6370100

Both sites are to promote craft makers and designers and you are only able to list handmade items. They do not allow mass produced stuff, which is great for us crafters. On Folksy you can also search by material, ie., buy material for your craft project. Folksy is UK based, whilst Etsy is American. Both sites are great if you appreciate handmade and unique items.

Kathryn, Lazy Daisy xx